The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (Autoriteit Financiële Markten, the AFM) tests directors, other daily policymakers and supervisory directors of certain financial undertakings (including, but not limited to financial services providers, investment firms and (managers of) UCITS and alternative investment funds) for, amongst other things, suitability (geschiktheid).

As part of this screening procedure, the financial undertaking concerned needs to submit a suitability matrix (geschiktheidsmatrix). This matrix needs to be completed in order to demonstrate the level of expertise that is available within both the management board and supervisory board as a whole for all relevant areas of attention (such as governance, organisation, products/services, market knowledge). On 11 February 2016, the AFM published two updated (and more extensive) versions of this suitability matrix. One that should be used for the management board and one for the supervisory board.

View the suitability matrix for managing directors and supervisory directors (both in Dutch only).

Photo of Nikolai de Koning Nikolai de Koning

Nikolai de Koning is a financial services lawyer (advocaat) based in Amsterdam. Nikolai is experienced in financial services and banking law, as well as in data privacy (protection). He is experienced in advising on regulatory and compliance aspects relevant to financial…

Nikolai de Koning is a financial services lawyer (advocaat) based in Amsterdam. Nikolai is experienced in financial services and banking law, as well as in data privacy (protection). He is experienced in advising on regulatory and compliance aspects relevant to financial institutions, such as insurance companies, investment firms, clearing institutions and central counterparties. Nikolai also advises on Dutch licence and notification requirements and he assists companies in their licence or notification processes with the Dutch financial regulators. He also specialises in privacy issues arising out of online products, data protection and e-commerce.